Brigitte Bravo Foreman
Catepillar feeding frenzy
The oleander caterpillar, Syntomeida epilais Walker. The oleander caterpillar feeds only on oleander, a plant poisonous to most animals. At maturity, the orange-red caterpillar with black tufts of hair is 2 inches in length. There are usually three generations a year. The eggs are laid on the leaves. The larvae feed gregariously on the undersides of leaves at first skeletonizing them and then eating the leaves completely. The larvae pupate in cocoons on the oleander plant. The life cycle requires about two months for completion. Overlapping generations may occur when the larvae and the adult moths, purplish black with white dots on the wings, can be observed together.
Catepillar feeding frenzy
The oleander caterpillar, Syntomeida epilais Walker. The oleander caterpillar feeds only on oleander, a plant poisonous to most animals. At maturity, the orange-red caterpillar with black tufts of hair is 2 inches in length. There are usually three generations a year. The eggs are laid on the leaves. The larvae feed gregariously on the undersides of leaves at first skeletonizing them and then eating the leaves completely. The larvae pupate in cocoons on the oleander plant. The life cycle requires about two months for completion. Overlapping generations may occur when the larvae and the adult moths, purplish black with white dots on the wings, can be observed together.